Tom Cotton is opposed to permanent Daylight Saving Time. In 2026 he refused to support the Sunshine Protection Act, which had moved to the Senate for consideration after passing the House of Representatives. The legislation would make Daylight Saving Time year round. Cotton’s stance drew the ire of Pres. Donald Trump, who published Cotton’s phone number on Truth Social.
Cotton has said that the Sunshine Protection Act would “make winter a dark and dismal time for millions of Americans.” According to him, later sunrises would create safety and well-being concerns. Children would go to school in the dark, and some workers would not see sunlight for hours. Cotton also has claimed that permanent Daylight Saving Time would be disruptive to sleep. In addition, he has pointed out that in 1974 the country tested year-round Daylight Saving Time, but it proved unpopular and was repealed.